A short while later…
The other teams that had been scattered throughout the dungeon rejoined, and everyone gathered in one place.
“Alright, now that we’re all here, tell us what this method of yours is,” Choi Kang-hyuk said, demanding to know how they were going to raid the boss.
Sung-jun looked at Choi Kang-hyuk and the A-grade Hunters.
“Including you, Guild Leader Choi, there is one S-grade and four A-grade Hunters. If we add me and my party members, we fill up all eight slots for a full party. The first step to raiding the boss is for all of you to join my party.”
Everyone looked bewildered by Sung-jun’s unexpected proposal.
“We have to join your party? Why is that?”
“You’ll understand once you’re in. What do you say?”
What else was there to say?
Since there were no other options at the moment, Choi Kang-hyuk ordered his people to do as Sung-jun asked.
“There’s no other choice. Everyone, dissolve your parties and join Kim Sung-jun’s party.”
Once the guild leader made the decision, the A-grade Hunters of Changcheon, including Vice Guild Leader Jang Chae-sung, delegated their party leader positions to others and joined Sung-jun’s party.
“We’ve all joined. Now, what do we do?”
Sung-jun’s party was filled to capacity in an instant.
Sung-jun immediately began casting his enchant buffs.
‘Holy Armor Enchant, Party Mode! Holy Weapon Enchant, Party Mode!’
In truth, he could have cast the enchant buffs in Wide-Area Mode for the entire Changcheon Guild, just like All-in-One.
If he had, clearing the dungeon would have been much easier and faster than it was now.
However, Sung-jun chose not to.
The enchant buffs were on a completely different level of power compared to his other buffs.
Unless it was an unavoidable situation, he intended to apply them only to the party he belonged to.
As Sung-jun distributed the enchant buffs to Choi Kang-hyuk and the A-grade Hunters who had just joined…
*Whoosh!*
A divine power settled upon the armor they wore and the weapons in their hands.
“Huh! T-this is…!”
“What is this? Every attack is a critical hit? And it boosts the damage by at least 500% to 800%?”
“Hmm, doesn’t this mean every skill will hit like an ultimate move?”
“What about the defense? Our defense stats increased by 500,000, and it says it absorbs 70% of all incoming damage? With a monstrous buff like this, we could easily tank even a boss!”
Everyone struggled to hide their shock at the unexpected development.
What was this absurd, overwhelming buff?
They had thought All-in-One was incredible—beyond comparison to normal buffs—but it paled in comparison to these enchant buffs.
However, there was a critical restriction on the enchant buffs.
“Mmm, I admit this is an unbelievable buff. I didn’t know something like this existed in this world. But looking at the details, most of these options only apply to Dark-attribute targets. How are we going to handle that? Trolls aren’t Dark-attribute monsters, are they?”
Exactly.
Most of the Holy Enchant options only triggered against targets with the Dark attribute.
In response to Choi Kang-hyuk’s question, Sung-jun replied with a smile.
“Don’t worry about that. I have a buff that changes the target’s attribute to Dark. Although the monster’s overall stats will increase once its attribute changes, considering the stat growth we get from the enchant buffs, that increase is closer to a debuff for the monster.”
It was exactly as Sung-jun said.
If these monstrous options from the enchant buffs were activated, it wouldn’t be a burden at all, even if the monster’s stats increased slightly.
No, the enchant buff options were so overpowered that granting the Dark attribute seemed like a debuff in itself.
“Ha! You can even change the target’s attribute? I’m truly speechless.”
Until now, changing a target’s innate attribute was considered almost impossible.
Yet Sung-jun was claiming he could overturn that common knowledge and turn a target into a Dark-attribute being. Naturally, they were shocked.
“For now, this enchant buff is the first step of the boss raid method. And this is the second.”
As he spoke, he pulled out three potions.
These were debuff potions he had secretly taken out of his Subspace while waiting for the other two teams to regroup.
“Potions? That’s your method for raiding the boss?”
At Choi Kang-hyuk’s skeptical question, Sung-jun gave a confident smile.
“These aren’t ordinary potions; they are debuff potions. They reduce the target’s defense, attack power, and vitality by 50% each. No matter how strong an A-rank boss is, it’s hard to call it an A-rank anymore if its stats are cut in half, right? Each one lasts for 30 minutes, and I have two of each, so the boss won’t be able to exert its full power for at least 1 hour.”
When he revealed that the debuff potions could slash the target’s attack, defense, and vitality by 50%, Choi Kang-hyuk and the A-grade Hunters all wore expressions of shock.
“Ha! How can such a ridiculous potion even exist…?”
“Hmm, if the attack, defense, and even vitality are cut by 50%, it’s definitely doable even for an A-rank boss.”
“And if these enchant buffs are applied properly, we really can raid the boss!”
Their consensus was clear: if they activated the enchant buffs by imbuing the Dark attribute and then used the debuff potions to halve the boss’s overall stats, even an A-rank boss was a manageable opponent.
“Why don’t we try fighting the elites in this state to get used to the enchant buffs?” Sung-jun suggested.
Choi Kang-hyuk nodded.
“Indeed. If these buffs work as described, the elites will be more than manageable.”
To put it bluntly, the enchant buffs were so powerful that they could potentially challenge the boss even without the debuff potions.
Naturally, they could handle elites without much trouble.
“I’ll only apply the Dark Attribute Imbue to the elites we’re fighting. It might be a burden for those without the enchant buffs to handle monsters strengthened by the Dark attribute.”
For the Dark Attribute Imbue to act as a debuff, the enchant buffs were essential.
Of course, other buffs or skills also had bonuses against the Dark attribute, but those were limited to Sung-jun, who was of the priest class.
For the other Hunters, fighting a monster strengthened by the Dark attribute without the enchant buffs would likely be a significant burden.
“Understood. But is it impossible to use this enchant buff on the others?” Choi Kang-hyuk asked cautiously. If they could apply the enchant buff to everyone present, their combat power would skyrocket.
Sung-jun replied with a regretful look.
“Sigh, unfortunately, it’s a party buff. It only applies to party members. That’s why I asked you all to join my party.”
When Sung-jun explained it was a party-exclusive buff, Choi Kang-hyuk nodded in acceptance.
“I see. That’s a shame.”
The owner of the buff said it was impossible, so what more could be said?
“Let’s move. Aside from the boss raid, I think we should clear out the rest of the dungeon first.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
They needed to wipe out the monsters in the dungeon before they could focus on the boss.
***
Cleaning up the dungeon wasn’t very difficult.
Although they had some trouble finding the monsters because they were scattered about, the actual process of eliminating them didn’t take much effort.
This was because the enchant buffs were incredibly powerful.
And finally…
“Is it the boss room at last?”
Having cleanly dealt with even the elites, they finally arrived in front of the boss room.
Sung-jun’s group approached the entrance, which was surrounded by a translucent veil.
“Are we going in right away?”
“Of course. There’s no need to stall, is there? Let’s go!”
As Choi Kang-hyuk spoke and entered the boss room first, Sung-jun’s group and the Changcheon Hunters quickly followed behind him.
**[You have entered the boss room. In 5 minutes, the dungeon boss, [Giant Twin-Headed Troll], will be summoned.]**
An announcement appeared, signaling the boss’s arrival.
“Team Leader Ahn Jung-soo will be the main tank, and Tanker Park Kwang-taek will be the sub-tank! The other teams, stay on standby in case of aggro shifts! The boss raid will be conducted only by our party! However, be fully prepared to join the fight at any moment!”
Choi Kang-hyuk intended to proceed with the boss raid using only Sung-jun’s party, which had the enchant buffs applied, while the other parties waited to one side.
He judged that if all the damage dealers participated at once, the aggro might shift unpredictably.
However, since their support might be needed depending on the situation, he told them to be ready to attack whenever the order was given.
“Yes, sir!”
While Choi Kang-hyuk was issuing general orders, Sung-jun cast a skill.
‘Sanctuary!’
It was Sanctuary, a wide-area spell that applied buffs to allies and debuffs to enemies.
*Flash!*
As Sanctuary was cast, Choi Kang-hyuk asked with curiosity, “Oh! Is this the Sanctuary I saw in the videos?”
“The buff level from Sanctuary can’t compare to All-in-One, but since it applies debuffs to enemies at the same time, it should help bridge the gap with the boss a little.”
Sung-jun was casting everything that could possibly help with the boss raid.
And at that moment…
“Kaaaaargh!”
“Guwaaaaaah!”
A massive Twin-Headed Troll, standing at least 7 to 8 meters tall, made its appearance.
“Ugh! As expected of an A-rank. Even with Kim Sung-jun’s War Cry, the pressure is immense.”
Despite being under the effects of the War Cry buff, which removed fear and maximized fighting spirit, the pressure emanating from the Giant Twin-Headed Troll was staggering.
It was only thanks to War Cry that they could even stand their ground; without it, they might have been so overwhelmed by the troll’s presence that they couldn’t have fought properly.
“Team Leader Ahn Jung-soo! Start tanking now! And Kim Sung-jun! Use the potions, hurry!”
“On it!”
As Ahn Jung-soo, the A-grade tanker from Changcheon, quickly approached the boss to begin tanking, Sung-jun secretly followed behind him.
His plan was to move to the boss’s rear as soon as tanking began to use the debuff potions.
‘Dark Attribute Imbue!’
First, Sung-jun cast the Dark Attribute Imbue on the boss.
The Holy Armor Enchant he had placed on Ahn Jung-soo would only function properly if the boss was converted to the Dark attribute.
*Flash!*
The battle began in earnest after the boss transitioned to the Dark attribute.
“Roar! Kuoooo!”
The Twin-Headed Troll let out a wild roar and swung its massive fist.
Ahn Jung-soo hurriedly raised his shield to defend.
*Whoosh! Whoosh!*
*Thud! Bang! Crash!*
“Kh! As expected of an A-rank boss! Even with the enchant buff active, every single attack is powerful. Still, I can manage to hold on at this level!”
Even for an A-grade tanker with Holy Armor Enchant applied, the A-rank boss’s powerful attacks were a threat that couldn’t be ignored.
Still, he judged that he could endure it somehow.
The tanker absorbed the boss’s attacks while simultaneously casting various aggro-generating skills, steadily building up threat.
“Just hold on a little longer!”
In the meantime, Sung-jun moved secretly and swiftly to the boss’s rear.
‘Got it!’
He immediately used the debuff potions.
*Swish!*
*Crash! Smash!*
The thrown potions hit the boss and shattered, followed by notifications announcing that the debuffs had been successfully applied.
**[A-grade Weakening Potion has been used. The target’s Defense is reduced by 50% for 30 minutes.]**
**[A-grade Weakening Potion has been used. The target’s Attack Power is reduced by 50% for 30 minutes.]**
**[A-grade Weakening Potion has been used. The target’s Max Vitality is reduced by 50% for 30 minutes.]**
As the debuff potions took effect…
“Oh! Its attacks have weakened! I can definitely handle this now!”
The first to feel the boss’s weakening was the tanker, Ahn Jung-soo.
Since he was directly blocking the boss’s attacks, he was the first to experience the difference.
“Kim Sung-jun! Come back this way now!”
Meanwhile, seeing that Sung-jun had successfully applied the debuff potions, Choi Kang-hyuk told him to retreat quickly.
He seemed uneasy about having a priest in the middle of such a fierce melee.
“I still have work to do! Tanker Ahn Jung-soo! Tell me when the aggro is stable!”
When Sung-jun asked for a signal, Ahn Jung-soo replied quickly.
“I need to build more threat to be certain, but right now, the aggro shouldn’t shift from a normal attack! Just wait a moment to be safe!”
Ahn Jung-soo had been casting aggro skills without pause since the boss appeared.
Therefore, he judged that the aggro wouldn’t shift even from most ultimate moves.
However, for the sake of certainty, he asked Sung-jun to wait a moment.
“Understood!”
Ahn Jung-soo continued to block or dodge the boss’s powerful attacks while rapidly increasing his threat level.
Deciding they had reached a stable point, he shouted toward Sung-jun.
“It’s ready now! With this much threat, the aggro won’t shift easily!”
As soon as Ahn Jung-soo finished speaking, Sung-jun unleashed Wrathful Strike, a skill on par with an ultimate move.
‘Wrathful Strike!’
*Vwooooom!*
*Boom!*
The mace in Sung-jun’s hand struck the Giant Twin-Headed Troll, which had been converted to the Dark attribute.
Then…
“Kueeeeeeek!”
The massive troll was stunned and fell flat on its back.
*Thud!*
**[Due to Wrathful Strike, the target’s Defense is reduced by 20%.]**
Already reduced by 50% due to the Weakening Potion, the boss’s defense was slashed by another 20% by Wrathful Strike.
This meant the Giant Twin-Headed Troll’s current defense was reduced by a total of 60%.
Combined with the stun and the occasional knock-down effect, the boss was momentarily rendered incapable of combat.
Having lowered the boss’s defense once more with Wrathful Strike, Sung-jun immediately retreated.
‘This should be enough! There are plenty of damage dealers besides me, so I can give up on melee and just act as a support and ranged damage dealer!’
If he fought in close quarters using Priest Combat Arts along with ranged magic, he could deal significant damage to the boss.
But there was an S-grade dealer and several A-grade dealers present—there was no reason for him to insist on dangerous melee combat.
Sung-jun decided to focus on support and ranged attacks, leaving the close-range fighting to them.
*Step!*
“Its defense has dropped once more, so your attacks will be much more effective!”
As Sung-jun returned to where his party members were, Choi Kang-hyuk stepped forward with a fierce smile.
“Good job. Leave the rest to us! Everyone, attack!”
Led by Choi Kang-hyuk, the A-grade melee damage dealers rushed toward the boss.
Simultaneously, the ranged dealers, including Yoo-sun, began their assault.
*Whiz! Zip!*
*Bang! Boom! Crash!*
The curtain finally rose on the grand A-rank dungeon boss battle.
***
No matter how much it was weakened by various debuffs, it was still an A-rank boss.
Perhaps because of that, despite the relentless attacks from those imbued with Holy Weapon Enchant, the boss’s health didn’t drop as quickly as expected.
Of course, that was only from the perspective of Sung-jun’s group; for anyone who had experience hunting A-rank monsters, the speed was fast enough to draw gasps of admiration.
And as the battle passed the 30-minute mark…
“It’s finally at half health! If we keep this up, we can take it down within 1 hour! Everyone, keep going!”
Raiding an A-rank boss in under 1 hour?
This was a feat impossible even for the world’s top ten guilds raiding an A-rank dungeon solo.
Even if the main forces of the top ten guilds cooperated, it would take at least 2 to 3 hours, and their average time for a solo raid was around 6 to 7 hours.
Considering that, taking down an A-rank boss in 1 hour during a solo raid was essentially a world record.
“Its health has fallen below half, so its ultimate move will be coming soon! It’s known to be a wide-area skill! Everyone, be ready!”
As the health dropped below 50%, the boss could unleash its ultimate move at any moment.
Perhaps that was why not only Sung-jun’s party but also the Changcheon Hunters waiting in the back were extremely tense.
After all, it was the ultimate move of an A-rank boss.
In response, Sung-jun cast a continuous healing skill.
‘I should cast a continuous heal first. As long as they don’t die in one hit, they’ll survive somehow. Healing Light, Wide-Area Mode!’
*Flash!*
If they died instantly from the ultimate move, there was nothing he could do, but otherwise, they would be able to survive through the Healing Light.
In addition, he made full preparations to use Divine Heal and Flash Heal at a moment’s notice.
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